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From the editors of CRAFT SPIRITS magazine, Craft Spirits Weekly is produced by the American Craft Spirits Association for its members. Not a member? Click here to join.
This week, we're focusing on a slew of new spirits; upcoming deadlines for the Craft Spirits Data Project, Craft Spirits Packaging Awards, and STEPUP Foundation; and more!
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Urgent: Please Take The Craft Spirits Data Project Survey by Oct. 21 | |
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The Craft Spirits Data Project is the chief economic data study for craft spirits producers, but we cannot do it without you. Along with our hand-picked partner, Park Street, we urgently need your feedback. Your input helps us tell legislators and media about the growth of the craft spirits industry and how your small businesses contribute to the economy.
The deadline to complete the survey has been extended to Oct. 21. Please complete it as soon as possible to provide the data on what happened to the craft spirits industry in 2021. All data collected will be treated confidentially, with special care to only release information in the aggregate.
As a special thanks for completing the survey, each distillery that completes the survey will receive one free t-shirt at ACSA's 10th Annual Distillers' Convention and Vendor Trade Show in February.
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Flying Leap Releases Habanero Brandy Liqueur | |
Flying Leap Vineyards & Distillery of Elgin, Arizona, announced the release of its Habanero Brandy Liqueur. (CRAFT SPIRITS magazine) | |
Time is Running Out to Enter the Third Annual Craft Spirits Packaging Awards | |
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The deadline to enter the third annual Craft Spirits Packaging Awards is nearly here. If you produce craft spirits with an eye-catching design, enter now!
Medalists will be announced at ACSA’s 10th Annual Distillers’ Convention and Vendor Trade Show in February and will be featured in the March/April 2023 issue of CRAFT SPIRITS magazine. Entries will be judged by an independent panel of industry experts. The deadline for entry is Oct. 14.
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Garrison Brothers Releases Cowboy Bourbon 2022 | |
Hye, Texas-based Garrison Brothers Distillery, the first legal whiskey distillery in Texas, has released the 2022 Cowboy Bourbon, its most esteemed and coveted expression. (CRAFT SPIRITS magazine) | |
GrandTen Releases North County Straight Apple Brandy | |
Boston-based GrandTen Distilling is releasing its eighth batch of North County Straight Apple Brandy, which sources apples from orchards across New England. (CRAFT SPIRITS magazine) | |
FEW Spirits Announces Rye Whiskey Bottled-In-Bond | |
Evanston, Illinois-based FEW Spirits introduces FEW Rye Whiskey Bottled-In-Bond, a four-year-old, limited-release bottling created in accordance with the Bottled-In-Bond Act of 1897. (CRAFT SPIRITS magazine) | |
Applications Due for STEPUP Interns, Mentors, DSPs and Wholesalers | |
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The deadline to submit applications for STEPUP Foundation interns, mentors, DSPs and wholesalers is Oct. 1.
STEPUP stands for Spirits Training Entrepreneurship Program for Underrepresented Professionals and its mission is to provide underserved and underrepresented individuals with hands-on training and education, encouragement, and opportunities to enter the spirits community through a comprehensive internship program like no other in the alcohol beverage industry.
STEPUP, working with distilleries and wholesalers throughout the United States, provides a comprehensive, hands-on training program with a living stipend and provides job exposure for those of different races, color, national origins, genders and sexual orientations.
If you or someone you know might be a good fit as an intern, mentor, host DSP or wholesale distributor, please apply here!
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UPCOMING EVENTS AND DEADLINES | |
Read the New Issue of CRAFT SPIRITS Magazine | |
The September/October issue of CRAFT SPIRITS magazine is here, and our cover story examines how some sectors of retail need to catch up to meet the demand for craft gin. This issue also features stories about brand extensions, formula matters, distilling in Maine and more. | |
Join Us In The V.I.P. Lounge | |
Our V.I.P. Lounge members receive each issue of CRAFT SPIRITS magazine one week early, and our $40- and $60-per-year supporters are invited to virtual meet-and-greets with craft spirits icons, like our recent hangout with Lisa Wicker of Widow Jane. To unlock additional bonuses, like a set of CRAFT SPIRITS-branded Glencairn glasses, join us in the V.I.P. Lounge today. | |
Send News to CRAFT SPIRITS Magazine
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Do you have exciting stories to share about your distillery? Keep us posted on new products, events, trends, tips and more by sending us a note at news@americancraftspirits.org.
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Members: Download Updated ACSA Member Logos | |
Show your pride for the American Craft Spirits Association on your website and more with our updated member logos! | |
Guidance on FDA Hand Sanitizer Audits | |
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In case you missed it, yesterday the American Craft Spirits Association and the Food and Drug Administration met to discuss the issue of hand sanitizer audits.” Previously we had heard concerns that the FDA notified members about increased levels of acetaldehyde in hand sanitizer produced in 2020. Many members have already spent lots of time (and money) attempting to comply with the request. The FDA acknowledged that additional letters may be sent to producers of hand sanitizer. The FDA also confirmed that these letters are NOT audits but simply informational requests. In that light, here is what you need to know.
If you produced hand sanitizer during the pandemic and registered your products with the FDA, DEREGISTER IMMEDIATELY if you have not already done so. (You are now considered a manufacturer of over-the-counter drugs and more likely to have your hand sanitizer examined. If you continue to produce hand sanitizer, you are considered a manufacturer and must comply with all applicable regulations as a drug manufacturer.)
If you have received or do receive an FDA informational request (while no legal obligation to respond, ACSA suggests that you do so) here is what you should do:
- Provide the date you stopped manufacturing
- Provide the total volume of hand sanitizer (number of gallons)
- Although NOT required, IF your label contained an expiration date, provide that date
- If you have additional information, such as a certificate of analysis (COA), send that to the FDA, too
As ACSA will continue to advocate for distillers with FDA on the impact of these investigations, please let us know if you are impacted by such a request.
For questions or comments, please contact sanitizer@americancraftspirits.org.
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ACSA Starts Facebook Group for Voting Members | |
In an effort to use the platforms that you most often use, ACSA started a private Facebook group for voting members only (open to all employees of member DSPs). The group will be an environment to not only ask questions without judgement, but to provide input and feedback to colleagues based upon members’ experiences and best practices. If you would like to be added to the group, please send an email to carason@americancraftspirits.org.
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The ACSA PAC Needs Your Support | |
ACSA’s public policy advocacy on behalf of its members is critical to making sure our community’s voice is heard on Capitol Hill and in state legislatures. A crucial piece of this strategy is a strong Political Action Committee (PAC) and to maintain this presence, we need your support, particularly during a mid-term election year.
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ACSA would like to thank all of our annual sponsors and our key supporters of education. We are grateful for all of your support throughout the year. Cheers! | |
The American Craft Spirits Association is the only national registered nonprofit trade association representing the U.S. craft spirits industry. Its mission is to elevate and advocate for the community of craft spirits producers, and membership in ACSA is open to anyone.
ACSA is governed by a Board of Directors elected by the eligible voting members of the Association. Voting members must be independent licensed distillers (DSPs) annually removing fewer than 750,000 proof gallons from bond (the amount on which a Federal Excise Tax is paid.)
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